ABO genotyping by polymerase chain reaction.

ABO blood group system's genotyping by polymerase chain reaction in genomic DNA level is developed. The positions of nucleotide 258 and 700 of cDNA from A transferase were used to distinguish A, B, and O alleles by restriction enzyme digestion. To identify the 258th nucleotide, a 199- or 200-bp DNA fragment was amplified by PCR and digested with Kpn I. For the 700th nucleotide, a 128-bp PCR amplified fragment was designed and digested with Alu I. By examining the DNA fragment digested patterns, ABO genotypes were easily determined. Results obtained using this method on 20 ABO-known peripheral blood samples showed that this new technique could provide accurate ABO genotype. Biologic forensic samples, such as, blood stains, saliva stains, semen stains, hair, bone tissue, and semen contaminated with vaginal secretion were also successfully typed. This rapid, sensitive and reliable method should be applicable not only in forensic identification but also in medical examination.